5 Best Microwaves for Camping: Small & Portable Microwaves for Camper (2024)

Going on a trip on a camper van and want to make easy meals along the way? Need to keep your beverages warm and easily defrost frozen foods during your adventures?

Sounds like you’re in need of a low wattagemicrowave for camping! But how to spot the best microwaves that best suit your needs? What to look for in a microwave for campers?

We’ve rounded up a list of the best microwaves for camping to help you make an informed purchasing decision. Also, we’ll explain what you should look for in a microwave oven for camper.Let’s dive in…

Contents:

  • Top picks of microwave ovens for camping
  • How to choose a reliable microwave for camping?
  • How to run a microwave for camper off a 12V battery?

5 Best Microwaves for Camping: Small & Portable Microwaves for Camper (1)

Microwave for Camping: Top Picks & Reviews of Best Microwave for Campers

Best Low Watt Microwave for Camping: Sharp ZSMC0710BW Countertop Microwave Oven

5 Best Microwaves for Camping: Small & Portable Microwaves for Camper (2)
To the shop

Pros: Low wattage, easy to clean, small footprint with roomy turntable.
Cons: Requires longer cooking time, but you can expect that from all low-wattage microwaves.

Sharp is known for their sleek and compact microwave solutions. The low-wattage microwave by Sharp is ideal for campers, hikers, and those who live in a motorhome.

Its small footprint and low-wattage power output ensure you have easy access to warm beverages and easy microwave meals on demand when you’re on the road.

The microwave for camping is easy to use and full-featured, too, plus the glossy finish makes it super easy to clean.

Preprogrammed with preset menus, the microwave for campers allows you to use popcorn, beverage, pizza, and potato settings for convenient one-touch cooking.

Best Budget Microwave for Camping: AmazonBasics Microwave

5 Best Microwaves for Camping: Small & Portable Microwaves for Camper (3)
To the shop

Pros: Affordable, voice-controlled with Echo device, compact size.
Cons: Some of the users have been complaining about the moisture.

The AmazonBasics smart microwave for camping is a reliable, inexpensive microwave to look into if you’re on a budget.

The microwave for camper comes with many special features that you won’t find in most microwaves out there, including quick-cook voice presets, auto-popcorn replenishment, and more.

Living in a motor home doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t enjoy a smart home. When paired with an Echo device, you can effortlessly start and control the microwave with your voice.

You can just say, “Alexa, cook 8 ounces of potato”, and Alexa will set the microwave to the appropriate power level and cooking time.

With 10 power levels and a turntable, the microwave for camping lets you cook all kinds of food and achieve even cooking results.

Smallest Microwave for Camping: Whirlpool 0.5 cu. ft. countertop microwave

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Shop at Home Depot

Pros:Smallest model for camper van, easy to clean, spacious interior.
Cons: A bit pricey compared with other models on the list.

The countertop microwave by Whirlpool is a top-rated camping microwave that comes in an extremely compact size.

Being one of the smallest microwaves on the market, you can easily fit it into corners and maximize camper van spaces.

Though the microwave oven for campers is small in size, you get quite a spacious interior. It can fit a full-sized dinner plate or a fairly large bowl.

The microwave for camping offers 10-level cooking power controls. The variable power levels allow you to precisely and easily tailor cooking settings to the cooking task at hand.

It boats with tap touch controls which are easy to use and easy to clean, making the microwave for camping perfect for those who hate to remember how to navigate controls and who hate to spend hours cleaning appliances.

Best 3-in-1 Microwave Oven for Camping: Nostalgia BSET300RETRORED 3-in-1 Family Size Breakfast Station

5 Best Microwaves for Camping: Small & Portable Microwaves for Camper (5)
To the shop

Pros: 3-in-1 appliance, easy to clean, perfect for a travel trailer.
Cons: Some users complain that the griddle is not hot enough for some food.

If you’re a lover of coffee and would love to have fresh and warm coffee along the way, you definitely want to check out this one. The 3-in-1 appliance is another microwave oven option for camping that’s small but mighty.

It has a coffee maker that can brew up to 4 cups of coffee at a time, a toaster oven for multiple purposes, and a non-stick griddle for easy cooking.

The multi-function toaster can toast up to 4 slices of bread at a time and is capable of heating leftovers, 7-inch frozen pizzas, and more.

The removable oven tray and non-stick griddle design allow for easy cleaning even on the road.

Best Portable Microwave Oven for Camping: RoadPro 12-Volt Portable Stove Kit

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Pros: Portable, mini-sized, 12-volt power port.
Cons: With simple features only.

While it would be great to have a full-featured microwave, there are portable microwaves for camping with simple features as well. Our preferred choice for a 12V microwave for camping is the RoadPro Portable Stove Kit.

The portable microwave for campers is outstanding because it enables you to heat most kinds of pre-cooked food at an extremely affordable price.

The handy 12-volt portable stove kit can easily warm up leftovers. It’s also able to cook food up to 300 degrees, making it ideal for stews, rice meals, chops, and more.

This powerful all-purpose mini microwave for camping is easy to set up and use. Just plug it into your 12-voltage socket and you’re all ready to make hot dishes.

How to choose a reliable microwave for camping?

Choosing a quality microwave for camper vans can be tricky sometimes. With tons of options on the market, you could feel lost and be struggling to spot the microwave for camping that best suits your needs.

Follow the thorough buying guide below, and figure out which microwave is the right camping buddy for you.

1. Size.

When choosing a microwave for camping, I’d strongly recommend you to evaluate the size of the microwave. It’s not just about finding the smallest one, but to figure out what size best fits your motor home.

5 Best Microwaves for Camping: Small & Portable Microwaves for Camper (7)

A small microwave for camping takes up little space, but it usually offers a smaller cooking capacity. Measure your dinner plate and the space meant for the microwave for camping, then pick a microwave for camping accordingly.

READ ALSO: Microwaves for Small Spaces Buying Guide

2. Wattage.

The wattage is another significant buying information you should take into consideration when evaluating a microwave oven for camping.

While you’ll love a microwave oven with higher wattage for it can cook faster. However, if you’re running the microwave over your car battery or a 12V battery, a high-wattage microwave can drain the battery fast.

3. Easy-to-clean.

When you’re on the road, you don’t want to spend much time cleaning up appliances. Go for a small microwave oven for the camper that requires minimum effort to clean and maintain.

4. Bonus features.

Aside from all the basic features above, there are some bonus features that can allow for easier meal preps.

Preset menus enable you to cook popular foods with one touch of the button, eliminating the guesswork for cooking time and power levels.

A removable turntable lets you cook food evenly and clean the turntable and the microwave interior easily.

How to run a microwave for camper off a 12V battery?

When you’re off the grid, getting the microwave for camping a power source can be one of the trickiest problems.

Follow the video guide below, and learn how to run a microwave oven for camping off a 12V battery:

Wrapping Up

A microwave oven for camper can bring great convenience to your camping trip. From warming up beverages to reheat leftovers, it will help you stay warm and satisfied with hot meals during the journey.

We reviewed the most popular microwaves for camping and broke them down into different categories according to the product design and performance.

In the list of our top picks, you can find the smallest microwave for camping, the best low-wattage microwave for camping, and more.

Hopefully, we’ve covered all the information you wish to know about microwaves for camping in this post.

If you have any questions or any thoughts to share with us, leave a comment down below!

5 Best Microwaves for Camping: Small & Portable Microwaves for Camper (2024)

FAQs

What watt microwave is for a camper? ›

For most RV'ers, the best microwave is one that runs on 700 watts of or less, as these can often be operated using a large capacity battery or the generator. If you plan on cooking only when you have an electrical hookup at a campsite, then you have plenty of microwave options to choose from.

Do you need a special microwave for a camper? ›

Just like in a traditional home, a microwave isn't really necessary in an RV if you also have a stove. But it's the convenience of the appliance that sells it. I can heat things up without much hassle, and I can do it fast.

What kind of microwave goes in an RV? ›

An RV microwave convection oven combo can be an excellent choice for smaller RVs, because it can both reheat items as well as cook them. An RV convection microwave circulates heat with fans, moving it around, and cooking items, in a faster time than a typical convection oven.

Can you put any microwave in a camper? ›

Yes, any commercially available microwave will work. It's often better to select a lower wattage model (700 watts) as they are cheaper, smaller, and easier to run when using a generator.

Which is the smallest microwave? ›

Conclusion. If you're simply looking for the smallest microwave oven to wedge into a tight space then the Commercial Chef model takes up the least counter space. At just 12.5 inches deep, it's the shallowest microwave.

How many watts does a small RV microwave use? ›

Compact Microwave (600-800 watts) - small microwaves that you normally find in RV or hotel room.

Can I use a 700W microwave in a campervan? ›

The ideal microwave to use in a campervan needs to be low wattage, 600W to 700W will be ideal. It should have a range of power settings and be compact and lightweight. Plus, it should be easy to use.

Can you get 12 volt microwave? ›

The WaveBox is a portable 12V microwave oven. It is available in a 12V only model, as well as in an AC/DC version. With the AC/DC model, you don't have to stress your battery if you're at a camping spot with electricity, but you can still enjoy the convenience of microwave when power is not available.

Is a 600 watt microwave good? ›

It's time to say goodbye to the microwaves you have on your wishlist that have 600 or 700 watts. Those will be an annoyance to you and your family, especially when things get in a rush. Instead, it's better to go with a microwave that has around 1,000-watts. These machines tend to cook efficiently and evenly.

How many watts does a RV convection microwave use? ›

The Sharp Microwave Convection oven measures 29.93 x 16.34 x 15.28 inches. It uses 850 watts and offers 1.1 cubic feet of capacity.

How do you replace a microwave in an RV? ›

RV LIFE: We need to replace our Microwave which has quit working.

How do I use my convection microwave in my RV? ›

RV Quick Tip - How to Use a Microwave Convection Oven

Are convection microwaves worth it? ›

Are Convection Microwaves Worth It? The answer is that it depends. If you live in a small space but want to cook more, a convection microwave might be perfect for you. These convenient appliances take up barely more room than a standard microwave.

What is a convection microwave? ›

A convection microwave has at least two modes – the first is a standard mode that uses microwaves to heat or cook food. The second is a convection mode that transforms your microwave into a convection oven, which uses a heating element and a fan to evenly distribute heat throughout the appliance.

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